Fujitec traction glass elevator at Port Terminal Portliner station in Kobe

The Portliner in Kobe is an automated guideway transit system connecting Sannomiya, a main interchange station, to Kobe airport via Port Island. The first four stations are Sannomiya ( • Mitsubishi traction gl... ), Boeki Center ( • Mitsubishi traction gl... ), Port Terminal (this video), and Naka Koen ( • Mitsubishi hydraulic g... ). Since the system is fully automated, all Portliner stations have platform screen doors. The automation also allows for nice front window views as there is no driver.
Like Boeki Center station one stop away, Port Terminal station consists of a single platform with tracks on either side. At the latter station, however, a single escalator goes straight from the entrance level to platform level and there is no intermediate level. In this case, it is the elevator that is somewhat unusual as it has two counterweights. For this reason, there are two separate traction sheaves at the top of the shaft, with one of them directly driven by a motor, and a metal rod forming a fixed connection between the sheaves. Each counterweight is connected to the cab by two steel cables. There is a distinct noise while the elevator is moving that is mainly caused by the gear system linking the motor to its sheave, meaning that the elevator uses a geared rather than gearless design.
This video also includes a full ride from Port Terminal station to Boeki Center station, showing off the routing between both stations. The most notable feature is an s-bend on the approach to Boeki Center station. As the name may suggest, Port Terminal station is located right next to a cruise ship terminal.
Technical specifications:
Brand: Fujitec
Capacity: 750kg / ~1655lbs / 11 people
Type: traction (1:1 transmission with two counterweights)
Year built: unknown
Travel distance: 2 stops